“At least four people were killed and 32 wounded as six Baghdad-area churches were bombed within 24 hours, officials told CNN…. Many of Iraq’s estimated 1 million Christians have fled the country after targeted attacks by extremists. In October, more than a thousand Iraqi families fled the northern city of Mosul after they were reportedly frightened by a series of killings and threats by Muslim extremists, who apparently ordered them to convert to Islam or face possible death.”
Praying for peace and freedom in the Middle East…Monday, July 13, 2009
What's the worst thing that can happen?
I love what Mark Twain said, "I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, most of which, never happened."
I think it's safe to say that I've feared far more things than have actually happened in my life. What a shame.
Fear paralyzes progress. Fear keeps you in bad jobs. Fear keeps you single. Fear keeps you in the same town your whole life. Fear keeps you from following your God-given dreams.
Every morning, I have to spend at least 30 minutes praying and banishing fear from my life. It slowly creeps up on me each day and blankets me in the mornings.
What's interesting is that whenever I imagine the scenario of my worst fears coming true... it's not actually that bad. =) Honestly, it simplifies my life.
I was talking to a pastor the other day who is on his second church plant. He said that failing was a gift from God because it taught him that he didn't have all that much to fear.
Companies that are "all-in"....
Chick-fil-A, Zappos, Burton, Apple.
These companies have an incredibly devoted employee base. Staffs are committed. Their businesses are successful. They’ve become legendary. Why?
One reason: a cult-like crazy culture. They are 110% in. To those outside of the organization, it may seem a bit weird or over the top. But to the employees working for these types of organizations, it is normal. They wholeheartedly believe in what they are doing, and it permeates throughout everything they do- their culture, their identity, branding, marketing, customer service, etc.
Simply put- it is part of who they are.
Good to know....
Edinburgh psych researcher Richard Wiseman and team left a load of wallets lying around with various contents, trying to see if there was a correlation between, say, baby pictures or cards indicating charitable giving and the rate at which wallets are returned. It turns out that people in Edinburgh (and maybe everyone) have a high likelihood of returning wallets with baby pictures, but are much less likely to return the wallets of charitable givers: 
The baby photograph wallets had the highest return rate, with 88 per cent of the 40 being sent back. Next came the puppy, the family and the elderly couple, with 53 per cent, 48 and 28 respectively. At 20 per cent and 15, the charity card and control wallets had the lowest return rates.
The baby photograph wallets had the highest return rate, with 88 per cent of the 40 being sent back. Next came the puppy, the family and the elderly couple, with 53 per cent, 48 and 28 respectively. At 20 per cent and 15, the charity card and control wallets had the lowest return rates. Overall, 42 per cent of the wallets were posted back -- more than the team had anticipated. "We were amazed by the high percentage of wallets that came back," said Dr Wiseman.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Praying the calendar...
Just thought I'd share one prayer technique that has really helped me cultivate a prayer habit. I call it praying the calendar. I basically go through my calendar and pray about anything and everything. I pray for the people I have meetings with. I pray for upcoming events. For example, before the 4th of July I found myself praying for America. More specifically, another Great Awakening.
Here is what praying the calendar does for me: it gives me a sense of destiny. I feel like I walk into each day, each meeting, each experience with holy anticipation. Why? Because I've prayed about it.
Here is what praying the calendar does for me: it gives me a sense of destiny. I feel like I walk into each day, each meeting, each experience with holy anticipation. Why? Because I've prayed about it.
What is it to you?
After he was restored, Peter started speculating about the future of John. You’ll recall that John was the only apostle who stood by Jesus at the crucifixion (incidentally, he was also the one who actually referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved”-bold!). So I suppose Peter and the others were concerned about John getting preferential treatment and advancing past them in position based on performance.
Jesus set them straight with a response that we would do well to internalize:
“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
-John 21:22
When you’re tempted to compare yourself to another servant of Christ, heed the words of Jesus:
What is that to you?
If God sees fit to bless someone else with a greater measure of success than me, what is that to me? I’ve got my own race to run, and my own abilities to account for.
If someone else makes some decisions I disagree with, or if another brother stumbles and falls, what is that to me? God knows, I’ve gotten way off track in my own attempts to follow Christ.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. John 8:7
Let each servant stand or fall to his own master. Romans 14:4
Let he who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
We wouldn’t have time to misjudge the motives of anyone else
if we were fully engaged in following Jesus ourselves.
Finding Leaders...
Gary Hamel’s “Nine Ways to Identify Natural Leaders” provides some insight into the age old question “How do you identify leaders?”
“The need to empower natural leaders isn’t an HR pipedream, it’s a competitive imperative. But before you can empower them, you have to find them. In most cases, natural leaders don’t appear on any organization chart. To hunt them down, you need to know . . .
- Whose advice is sought most often on any particular topic?
- Who responds most promptly to requests from peers?
- Whose responses are judged most helpful?
- Who is most likely to reach across organizational boundaries to aid a colleague?
- Whose opinions are most valued, internally and externally?
- Who gets the most kudos from customers?
- Who’s the most densely connected to other employees?
- Who’s generating the most buzz outside the company?
- Who consistently demonstrates real thought leadership?
- Who seems truly critical to key decisions?”
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday Night Mind Dump....
Well, it´s Monday night of our two week trip to Peru and here are a few thoughts I have as we enter the last leg of the trip...
- I´m missing my fiancee like crazy, can´t wait to see her!
- Because of our chaotic schedule I have not had a chance to post about our teaching seminars. One in particular, led by Amanda Smith, is reaching out to the local juvenile center. The team went this past Friday and had an amazing experience. They got a tour of the facility, had an extensive conversation with the jail Warden, and then participated in a jail-wide birthday party. During the celebration the Warden allowed the team to do the ¨Lifehouse¨skit and to have several students share their testimonies. It was awesome! Afterwards one inmate accepted Christ, several others exchanged email address, and many discussions were had.
Then a massive celebration ensued; our team members were dancing, talking, arm-wrestling, and laughing with the inmates. This was one of the most exciting seminars to date. The team is going back tomorrow (Tuesday). Can´t wait to find out what God has in store.
-April Lacey is an international superstar; she was broadcasted live on tv last week. We are really going to reach the teachers and educational system here.
- There are literally no words to describe our time in Pisaq. We took all the orphans down there for a weekend advance.´The orphans were so excited to be there; the place we took them to was a kids fun-land to the hilt. The kids were, many for the first time, able to actually be kids. We spoiled them the entire time; in particular, Sunday afternoon we took the boys to an Olympic size pool while the girls stayed behind and did pedicures/manicures/makeup on the little girls. Each night we had a bonfire and a huge meal. You could literally see the entire milky way from where we were, the stars were so bright!
We also took the American team up to one of the highest points in Peru to see the ancient Incan ruins. We have some breathtaking photos.
- This team keeps raising the bar; this is hands-down the best team I have ever led.
- Half our team forked over some extra cash to go up the mountain to one of the seven wonders of the world named Machu Picchu. They just got back and I´m so jealous I didn´t go...their pictures and stories are amazing.
- Tomorrow we are going back to the jail, doing a first aid seminar, and visiting many local businesses with the hopes of establishing contacts.
- I can´t believe there are only a few days left in this trip. So much has been done in our hearts and lives. The people of Peru and this country have forever left an impression in our hearts. We know that goodbye is not goodbye...it´s just until later. It´s just the waiting until we see them again must be laid upon the alter of patience...for that we need prayer.
P.S. Everyone is healthy and doing great.
- I´m missing my fiancee like crazy, can´t wait to see her!
- Because of our chaotic schedule I have not had a chance to post about our teaching seminars. One in particular, led by Amanda Smith, is reaching out to the local juvenile center. The team went this past Friday and had an amazing experience. They got a tour of the facility, had an extensive conversation with the jail Warden, and then participated in a jail-wide birthday party. During the celebration the Warden allowed the team to do the ¨Lifehouse¨skit and to have several students share their testimonies. It was awesome! Afterwards one inmate accepted Christ, several others exchanged email address, and many discussions were had.
Then a massive celebration ensued; our team members were dancing, talking, arm-wrestling, and laughing with the inmates. This was one of the most exciting seminars to date. The team is going back tomorrow (Tuesday). Can´t wait to find out what God has in store.
-April Lacey is an international superstar; she was broadcasted live on tv last week. We are really going to reach the teachers and educational system here.
- There are literally no words to describe our time in Pisaq. We took all the orphans down there for a weekend advance.´The orphans were so excited to be there; the place we took them to was a kids fun-land to the hilt. The kids were, many for the first time, able to actually be kids. We spoiled them the entire time; in particular, Sunday afternoon we took the boys to an Olympic size pool while the girls stayed behind and did pedicures/manicures/makeup on the little girls. Each night we had a bonfire and a huge meal. You could literally see the entire milky way from where we were, the stars were so bright!
We also took the American team up to one of the highest points in Peru to see the ancient Incan ruins. We have some breathtaking photos.
- This team keeps raising the bar; this is hands-down the best team I have ever led.
- Half our team forked over some extra cash to go up the mountain to one of the seven wonders of the world named Machu Picchu. They just got back and I´m so jealous I didn´t go...their pictures and stories are amazing.
- Tomorrow we are going back to the jail, doing a first aid seminar, and visiting many local businesses with the hopes of establishing contacts.
- I can´t believe there are only a few days left in this trip. So much has been done in our hearts and lives. The people of Peru and this country have forever left an impression in our hearts. We know that goodbye is not goodbye...it´s just until later. It´s just the waiting until we see them again must be laid upon the alter of patience...for that we need prayer.
P.S. Everyone is healthy and doing great.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Peru Update Thursday June 25
Thursdsay Morning Mind Dump
- The team took yesterday (Wednesday) off from construction and teaching seminars to participate in the Inti Raymi festival. It was an awesome experience; our team was able to witness a festival that has taken place in the exact spot and in the exact way for hundreds of years.
- Today we are kicking our construction projects in high gear. We are giving the orphanage a total makeover. We will be bringing back some before and after pics...you´ll never believe what this team was able to accomplish.
- It´s become a nightly routine to play soccer with the local puruvians; last night one of our students accidentally broke the nose of a puruvian during the game. The ironic thing is that it has served to connect us with the locals. God is opening up so many doors.
- The other night during our evening team meeting I sensed God wanted to do something in our midst. So, I spoke for a few minutes on being broken before God and then let Tim Wirtala start leading us in worship. Then, all of a sudden, the Spirit moved and people started praying for each other, intensely worshipping God, many were finding healing, most were crying, and all were changed. We were there for two hours as God moved....simply put, AMAZING!
- I can´t say enough about how much potential this team has; God is truly raising up some world changers from our midst.
- Tomorrow we will reach hundreds more through our teaching, first aid, and jail ministry seminars. Wait to you hear how our students are being used!
- Saturday and Sunday we are taking the orphans to a small town south of Cuzco named Pisaq. For many of the orphans it will be the first time out of Cuzco. We are going to spoil them by taking them to a luxury advance (you might call it a retreat center but we never retreat so we changed the name...grin) center where we´ll put on a two-day sports/craft camp for them.
Love yáll
- The team took yesterday (Wednesday) off from construction and teaching seminars to participate in the Inti Raymi festival. It was an awesome experience; our team was able to witness a festival that has taken place in the exact spot and in the exact way for hundreds of years.
- Today we are kicking our construction projects in high gear. We are giving the orphanage a total makeover. We will be bringing back some before and after pics...you´ll never believe what this team was able to accomplish.
- It´s become a nightly routine to play soccer with the local puruvians; last night one of our students accidentally broke the nose of a puruvian during the game. The ironic thing is that it has served to connect us with the locals. God is opening up so many doors.
- The other night during our evening team meeting I sensed God wanted to do something in our midst. So, I spoke for a few minutes on being broken before God and then let Tim Wirtala start leading us in worship. Then, all of a sudden, the Spirit moved and people started praying for each other, intensely worshipping God, many were finding healing, most were crying, and all were changed. We were there for two hours as God moved....simply put, AMAZING!
- I can´t say enough about how much potential this team has; God is truly raising up some world changers from our midst.
- Tomorrow we will reach hundreds more through our teaching, first aid, and jail ministry seminars. Wait to you hear how our students are being used!
- Saturday and Sunday we are taking the orphans to a small town south of Cuzco named Pisaq. For many of the orphans it will be the first time out of Cuzco. We are going to spoil them by taking them to a luxury advance (you might call it a retreat center but we never retreat so we changed the name...grin) center where we´ll put on a two-day sports/craft camp for them.
Love yáll
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Peru Update June 23rd
It´s now Tuesday of our trip and God is moving in some amazing ways. Our team is bonding and being challenged, while at the same time serving the local church and community in some influential ways.
It´s late and I´m really tired but let me highlight a few stories:
- As some of you know one of our guys got his passport stolen in the lima airport. This could not have come at a worse time because everyone was absolutely exhausted from the travel from the States. The local officials were absolutely ruthless; they would not permit the student to enter the country or search for his passport. They just insisted on putting him on the next flight back to the States.
So, I sent the entire team through customs and onto our connecting flight to Cuzco while I stayed back with the student.
We began a long night (it was 12:30AM) of waiting, praying, and exhausting all options. I contacted our travel agent, tried to call the US Embassy (it was closed until monday and none of the numbers were correct...our tax payer dollars were not at work here) and worked other possible avenues.
Long story made short, we were able to hold off the student getting deported until early morning. At which time we had said one last prayer and just left it in God´s hands. Well, at 10:00AM I was escorting the student to the gate and was prepared to say ¨goodbye´´ when the travel agent came running up to me saying ¨mateo, mateo, we found it...mateo, mateo, we found it.´´
At which time the student did a swan dive into my arms. I´ve never seen him jump so high. We hugged, cheered, and high-fived. I guess the person who stole his passport didn´t need it so he ditched it in the airport where an agent found it.
Then, after that small miracle, the airline gave us two free tickets to Cuzco since we both missed our connecting flight.
- One more story tonight (out of some really amazing one´s i could tell). Today, Tuesday, we went to the boys orphanage to celebrate some birthdays of several of the boys. We bought cakes and presents and threw a huge party...it was truly awesome. In the middle of the party we gave some of the birthday boys a chance to talk. Through a translator they all said thanks with grateful expressions of being loved on their faces. However, the last boy who shared started to talk and then broke down. He was so overwhelmed that we would fly all the way from the States to be with him. It´s safe to say everyone was touched...yours truly shed a quick (and inconspicuous) tear.
As time permits I will keep putting upates on here. Everything is going great.
P.S. I want to send out some blog love to Amanda Smith´mom....thank you for being a faithful reaer!
It´s late and I´m really tired but let me highlight a few stories:
- As some of you know one of our guys got his passport stolen in the lima airport. This could not have come at a worse time because everyone was absolutely exhausted from the travel from the States. The local officials were absolutely ruthless; they would not permit the student to enter the country or search for his passport. They just insisted on putting him on the next flight back to the States.
So, I sent the entire team through customs and onto our connecting flight to Cuzco while I stayed back with the student.
We began a long night (it was 12:30AM) of waiting, praying, and exhausting all options. I contacted our travel agent, tried to call the US Embassy (it was closed until monday and none of the numbers were correct...our tax payer dollars were not at work here) and worked other possible avenues.
Long story made short, we were able to hold off the student getting deported until early morning. At which time we had said one last prayer and just left it in God´s hands. Well, at 10:00AM I was escorting the student to the gate and was prepared to say ¨goodbye´´ when the travel agent came running up to me saying ¨mateo, mateo, we found it...mateo, mateo, we found it.´´
At which time the student did a swan dive into my arms. I´ve never seen him jump so high. We hugged, cheered, and high-fived. I guess the person who stole his passport didn´t need it so he ditched it in the airport where an agent found it.
Then, after that small miracle, the airline gave us two free tickets to Cuzco since we both missed our connecting flight.
- One more story tonight (out of some really amazing one´s i could tell). Today, Tuesday, we went to the boys orphanage to celebrate some birthdays of several of the boys. We bought cakes and presents and threw a huge party...it was truly awesome. In the middle of the party we gave some of the birthday boys a chance to talk. Through a translator they all said thanks with grateful expressions of being loved on their faces. However, the last boy who shared started to talk and then broke down. He was so overwhelmed that we would fly all the way from the States to be with him. It´s safe to say everyone was touched...yours truly shed a quick (and inconspicuous) tear.
As time permits I will keep putting upates on here. Everything is going great.
P.S. I want to send out some blog love to Amanda Smith´mom....thank you for being a faithful reaer!
Friday, June 19, 2009
In His hands....
I'm sitting in the airport in Santiago Chile reflecting upon the last two days. In all the trips I've taken and/or led I have never experienced the travel delays such as during this trip.
Here are the highlights of American Airlines impotence:
- A group of 24 were scheduled to leave Wednesday June 17th. I received a call mid-morning on the 17th from the airline informing me that the plane was experiencing "mechanical problems," which was resulting in that flight being canceled.
- They informed me that they had re-booked our team on a new flight that would be departing Friday evening. So, I called the entire team and had everyone change their plans both in the States and in Lima.
- Then, later that day, I received a call from the airline to inform me that they could not honor our new flight arrangement and that we would have to leave Thursday afternoon. The only difference would be we would add a flight (connecting through Santiago Chile) and that the team would be split on a few of those flights.
- So the entire team arrives at DCA Thursday afternoon ready to depart on two separate flights. After a delay one half of the team departed from DCA while the other half of the team got stuck in DC because the flight attendants had already worked fourty hours and refused to keep going. So, they had to wait for a new flight crew to arrive.
- I was on the plane that left DC first (it was originally scheduled to leave second but because of the flight attendant issue that flight got delayed beyond the time my delayed flight left...try to stay up with all the delays (grin)). When I touched down in Dallas I had a few messages from the other half of our team informing me that they hadn't left yet. At this point there was no way they'd make the connecting flight from Dallas to Santiago.
- As a result, the second team was diverted to Los Angelos where they were split into two more teams that would fly from LAX to Lima late night Friday.
- Meanwhile, the team that made the DCA-Dallas flight is in Santiago. We have a twelve hour layover here and thought we could get out and do some sightseeing. However, to our shock, to get out of the airport you have to pay $131 US Dollars and then to get back into the airport you have to pay another fee of $30 US Dollars. Long story made short, we are chillen in the aiport all day.
So, with that abbreviated story here is where we stand as of 10:30AM Friday morning:
- I have two guys already in Lima
- I have a group of seven on their way from Miami this morning
- I have two groups coming from Los Angelos
- I have six on their way from Santiago Chile
Lord willing, all thirty-two of us will be reunited this evening in Lima Peru with a few hours to spare before our 5:45AM flight to Cuzco.
The operative word for any "mission trip" is FLEXIBILITY....it's a good thing we'd been doing pilates in preperation for this trip!
Just a quick sidenote: all these delays prove to us that this trip is not about us, our schedule, our plans, or our agenda. Lord, please have your way and use us as your vessals of reconcilation!
Here are the highlights of American Airlines impotence:
- A group of 24 were scheduled to leave Wednesday June 17th. I received a call mid-morning on the 17th from the airline informing me that the plane was experiencing "mechanical problems," which was resulting in that flight being canceled.
- They informed me that they had re-booked our team on a new flight that would be departing Friday evening. So, I called the entire team and had everyone change their plans both in the States and in Lima.
- Then, later that day, I received a call from the airline to inform me that they could not honor our new flight arrangement and that we would have to leave Thursday afternoon. The only difference would be we would add a flight (connecting through Santiago Chile) and that the team would be split on a few of those flights.
- So the entire team arrives at DCA Thursday afternoon ready to depart on two separate flights. After a delay one half of the team departed from DCA while the other half of the team got stuck in DC because the flight attendants had already worked fourty hours and refused to keep going. So, they had to wait for a new flight crew to arrive.
- I was on the plane that left DC first (it was originally scheduled to leave second but because of the flight attendant issue that flight got delayed beyond the time my delayed flight left...try to stay up with all the delays (grin)). When I touched down in Dallas I had a few messages from the other half of our team informing me that they hadn't left yet. At this point there was no way they'd make the connecting flight from Dallas to Santiago.
- As a result, the second team was diverted to Los Angelos where they were split into two more teams that would fly from LAX to Lima late night Friday.
- Meanwhile, the team that made the DCA-Dallas flight is in Santiago. We have a twelve hour layover here and thought we could get out and do some sightseeing. However, to our shock, to get out of the airport you have to pay $131 US Dollars and then to get back into the airport you have to pay another fee of $30 US Dollars. Long story made short, we are chillen in the aiport all day.
So, with that abbreviated story here is where we stand as of 10:30AM Friday morning:
- I have two guys already in Lima
- I have a group of seven on their way from Miami this morning
- I have two groups coming from Los Angelos
- I have six on their way from Santiago Chile
Lord willing, all thirty-two of us will be reunited this evening in Lima Peru with a few hours to spare before our 5:45AM flight to Cuzco.
The operative word for any "mission trip" is FLEXIBILITY....it's a good thing we'd been doing pilates in preperation for this trip!
Just a quick sidenote: all these delays prove to us that this trip is not about us, our schedule, our plans, or our agenda. Lord, please have your way and use us as your vessals of reconcilation!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sweet business cards...
sweet business cards 
Here's a list of 100 incredibly creative business cards. I'm not gonna lie...it makes me want something like this. However, I can't even imagine how much even one of these cards would cost. So which card is your favorite?
Here's a list of 100 incredibly creative business cards. I'm not gonna lie...it makes me want something like this. However, I can't even imagine how much even one of these cards would cost. So which card is your favorite?
Romantic comedies....
Here at River Club, we aren't ashamed to admit we have a soft spot for romantic comedies (ok...perhaps we say that with a little shame). Paste Magazine just released their 17 best romantic comedies of the decade right here. What's your favorite?
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